India gathers close to 100,000 Scouts and Guides in their back-to-back events, highlighting culture and heritage

The Bharat Scouts and Guides hosted close to 100,000 Scouts and Guides with the International Cultural Jamboree on 22-27 December 2022 at Moodubidire, India and 18th National Jamboree last 4-10 January 2023 at Pali, Rajasthan.

International Cultural Jamboree

Held in Moodubidire, popularly known as Jainakashi as it serves as home for 18 Jain temples including the Thousand Pillar Temple, the International Cultural Jamboree attracted more than 55,000 Scouts and Guides in attendance of the Jamboree.

During its opening ceremonies, World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) Secretary-General Ahmad Alhendawi, alongside other esteemed guests, gave a powerful message for young people of India. He said that the Bharat Scouts and Guides belong to a beautiful organization that creates this world a better place, that each day in India is a celebration of diversity that it is an esteemed example for the world, and that the world needs India with a lot of potential changemakers being the most populous country in terms of young people.

Aside from the Jamboree activities, this Jamboree offered a lot of offsite activities such as a visit to Pilikula Nisaraga Dhama, an education integrated theme park, Coastal Cleanup, a visit to Dharmastala’s landmark places like temples and museums, an Industrial visit, Cultural Youth Forum and Quiz. Ideathon and Hackathon were introduced which unlock Scouts and Guides’ abilities to solve complex social problems.

18th National Jamboree

Aside from its colourful International Cultural Jamboree, Bharat Scouts & Guides held the 18th National Scout and Guides Jamboree in Rohat, Pali, Rajasthan State, India, on 4-10 January 2023.  Total of over 37,000 participants from all over India and eight overseas contingents from Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and WOSM and World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) official Teams.

The WOSM Asia-Pacific Regional Support Centre (APR) put up an Information Centre at the exhibition area, imparting knowledge to the Jamboree participants on the WOSM global and regional organisation, including its initiatives, programmes, and services offered to support National Scout Organisations (NSOs) in the Region.

The purpose of the APR Centre is to let them know that:

• They belong to one of the biggest youth organisations in the world
• They have over 57 million brother and sister Scouts within WOSM, a large part of it living in the Asia-Pacific Region;
• WOSM Global and Regional Leaders;
• The Movement’s programmes and initiatives; and
• How can Scouts contribute to the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Over 20,000 Scouts and Guides visited the APR Centre. They had fun through the guided exhibition, games, and pop quizzes. They were given special souvenirs if they successfully answered the questions or won games.

Aside from its informatory objectives, the APR Centre also exhibited the APR Scout Foundation and the APR Scout Bazaar. The APR Scout Foundation and the APR Scout Bazaar are two entities that support the strengthening and capacity building of Scouting in the Asia-Pacific Region through fundraising and other resource-generating activities.